The 18-Minute Fitness Routine That Will Totally Change Your Body

Linguists and neurologists have often theorized that the reason why so many TED Talks go viral is that they're all held to an 18-minute limit—long enough to be meaningful, yet short enough to not bore you out of your mind.

Our brand-new DVD program, All in 18, embodies that very concept, delivering snappy workouts that are proven to torch fat and sculpt head-to-toe hotness in that magic-number time frame. We called on one of the best and brightest to lead the way: trainer Idalis Velazquez. The founder of her own personal-training company, IV Fitness, an ambassador for Target's C9 Champion sports apparel line, and a self-made Instagram star (not to mention a former top-five finalist in WH's Next Fitness Star competition!), Idalis knows how to turn ideas into reality.

Plus, as a mom with little time for herself, she specifically created each routine with busy women in mind. The sessions are zippy for jam-packed schedules, require minimal at-home equipment (a mini band and some dumbbells), and are scalable to every fitness level. And they target the areas we struggle with most: thighs, middle, butt, and back of the arms. "After having my second daughter, I went through a period of not working out as often as I used to, and I lost strength and definition in those 'trouble' spots," says Idalis. "I experimented with various methods until I found that adding a resistance band to high-intensity strength-training exercises rebuilt and reshaped my body." Years later, the combo has helped her maintain that body—and now the secret recipe is yours.

The science doesn't lie: Studies show that elastic bands increase muscle activation by about 20 percent, especially in the glutes (the biggest calorie-burning machine in your bod, FYI), so each rep is truly maximized. And those high-intensity resistance intervals? Fresh research from North Dakota State University suggests they may torch twice as many cals as previously thought—more like 26 per minute. Make no mistake, though, these workouts are tough. But Idalis's supportive-big-sis sweetness will make you want to push yourself for her. "I believe you work harder with a cheerleader, not a demanding coach, by your side," she says.

Idalis designed the following workout exclusively for WH readers, combining five of her favorite moves from All in 18. Two or three times a week, perform each move in order, with little to no rest in between; repeat the routine up to three times total, resting 30 seconds between rounds. To kick your metabolism into serious overdrive, complete the two-part finisher. In just six weeks, you'll be ready to reveal a more slammin' you.

1. Banded Kickstand Deadlift

Kagan Mcleod

Stand with your feet hip-width apart, a mini band around your thighs and a dumbbell in each hand; step your left foot back and raise up onto your toes (a). Keeping a flat back, bend forward at your hips and lower your body until the weights pass your knees; squeeze your glutes (b). Reverse the movement to return to start. That's one rep; do 12 reps, then repeat on the other side.

2. Banded Squat Jack

Kagan McLeod

Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, a mini band around your thighs, and push your hips back while bending your knees to lower into a squat. Stay low as you jump both legs out as far as you can (a), then jump them back in (b), maintaining a flat back. That's one rep; do 12 reps.

3. Plank Pushup with Dumbbell Drag

Kagan McLeod

Place a dumbbell at the edge of your exercise mat, and get into pushup position with hands under your shoulders (a). Brace your core and lower onto your forearms (b), then press back up, keeping your hips parallel the entire time. Reach your left arm underneath your body to grab the weight (c), and place it at the left side of your body (d). Lower onto your forearms, then push back up and place the weight back at your right side. That's one rep; continue alternating for 12 reps.

4. Curtsy with Biceps Curl and Lateral Front-Loaded Lunge

Kagan McLeod

Stand with your feet hip-width apart, elbows bent and a dumbbell in each hand. Step your left leg back and behind your right, bending your knees to lower into a curtsy lunge (a). Brace your core and curl the weights up to your shoulders as you step your left leg out to the left; bend through your left knee and push your hips back to lower into a side lunge (b). Step your left foot in to return to start. That's one rep; do six reps, then repeat on the other side.

Here are more great dumbbell moves for total-body toning:

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5. Banded Plank Walk

Kagan McLeod

Start in a pushup position with a mini band around both wrists (a). Brace your core as you step both feet out to the left side, then walk your left hand forward as far as possible (b). Step your feet back in and replace your left hand underneath your shoulder to return to start. Step your feet to the right and walk your right hand forward, then reverse the movement to return to start. That's one rep; continue alternating for 12 reps.

THE FINISHER

Kagan McLeod

1. Offset Reverse Lunge and Press

Stand with your feet hip-width apart, a dumbbell in your right hand and resting on your right shoulder, your left arm out to the side. Brace your core and step your left leg back as you bend your knees and lower into a lunge (a). Step your left foot back in, just a few inches behind your right, as you press the weight directly overhead (b). Lower the weight and bring your feet back to hip-width apart. That's one rep; do as many reps as you can for 30 seconds, then repeat on the other side.

2. Two-Plank Jack, One-Star Jump Combo

Kagan McLeod

Start in a pushup position with hands under your shoulders (a). Brace your core as you jump both legs out to the sides (b), then back in, then out and in again. Spring your legs forward (c), and jump as high as you can as you open your arms and legs in the air, forming a star (d). Land softly and step into a pushup position to return to start. That's one rep; do as many reps as you can for 30 seconds.

For more awesome workouts, pick up the September issue of Women's Health, on newsstands now.

Marissa GainsburgMarissa Gainsburg is the senior editor at Women's Health, where she oversees the magazine's news-meets-trends Warm Up section and Love & Life section.

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